Pudong New Area People's Court Tuesday ordered China Eastern Airlines Co Ltd to pay 15,425 yuan (US$1,858) and US$437 in compensation to Ko Shu-To, a Hong Kong native, to cover his losses and legal fees.

Ko filed a lawsuit against the airlines on March 1, charging it didn't inform him correctly of a change in US visa policies before he took a flight. As a result, Ko was banned from entering the country and was repatriated.

The court ruled both parties should have tried to learn about the policy change, but the airline should bear the major responsibility since it is in a better position to learn about visa rules.

(Shanghai Daily March 24, 2004)